Why Do You Need a Certified RV Inspection?

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Certified RV Inspection

Would you like to buy your new RV with confidence and know that you are not buying someone else’s problems?  Why buy a money pit!  Why not buy an RV that has been evaluated for current issues so you have a better chance of enjoying worry-free travels!  If that sounds like what you are looking for, then get a certified RV Inspection!

rv inspections

Would you want to buy this RV?

This client was in California buying this RV from a seller in Florida. How can you really trust what a seller is telling you?  More on this story as you read on!

What is a Certified RV Inspection

A certified RV Inspection is called that because it is performed by a certified NRVIA RV Inspector.  The RV Inspector has been trained in such a way that they will surpass the highest standards in the industry.  They have received many hours of class time study, hands-on training, and had to pass numerous tests in order to be able to perform a certified RV Inspection.

When you work with an NRVIA RV Inspector, you will be in the hands of a professional that can communicate, both in written and verbal form, what you will need to know about the RV you intend to purchase.

The RV Inspection process is a relatively new one!  There have been other RV inspection services around the country for years. However, a lot of these folks are also RV technicians.  They know a lot about how to fix RVs!  But, you can’t really consider their counsel as unbiased.  How do you know if they have really found a problem or are they just trying to sell you something the RV does not need?

The NRVIA (National RV Inspectors Association) was launched in January of 2014. There is now an organization whose sole purpose is to certify RV Inspectors to perform these third party, unbiased RV Inspections all across the country!  Now there is a place that RV buyers, RV sellers, and others can go to have their RV inspected to verify its current condition.

When you want an RV inspected before you purchase that vehicle, you want a third party, unbiased opinion of the state of the vehicle at that point in time.  Can you take the word of the seller, or the dealer, that the RV is in the condition they claim it to be?  For your safety, you want to be sure that the RV is examined before you take possession so that you don’t wind up having to put a lot of additional funds into an unfit recreational vehicle!

But what about the States that require vehicle inspections?  Is that inspection enough information for the RV buyer to know more about their RV purchase.  Well, according to Wikipedia, these inspections are monitored by the state and limited in their scope.  And, by then it’s too late!  The purchase is already made.

Here’s the Rest of the Story!

So, back to the story of the buyer in California!  They found the Class C RV through Craigslist.  It appeared to be a good deal on a sixteen-year-old RV, at that time. From the pictures the seller sent to the buyer, it also appeared to be in good condition.  But the buyer suspected there may be some issues.

Not knowing if such a service existed, she did an internet search for an RV Inspector around the area the RV was located.  She found one of the NRVIA certified RV Inspectors in the area and called to schedule an appointment. They needed the inspection as soon as possible because the buyer did not want the RV to be sold to someone else.

As it turned out, the inspector in the area was not available, but another that was also able to do an RV inspection took the job.  He had to travel out of his area, but he was able to help out in this case.  So, the inspector met the seller at a local RV park where the RV was stored and the RV inspection was done there.

The inspector arrived before the seller did.  He started to investigate the RV using a uniform standards checklist for the type of inspection that the buyer contracted the inspector to perform.  From the time he crawled up on the roof until he completed the inspection, he knew the seller was not telling the buyer the whole story!  The RV Inspector took pictures and documented his findings.

I won’t go into all the details of the condition of the RV, but the worst issues I will share.  The seller had covered a large crack in the street sidewall with a large sports team sticker!  This was truly a case of buyer beware!  Here are some photos of the major issues.  There were many others!

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The owner painted the roof black instead of properly repairing it!

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The inspector was able to brush of the black residue from the roof with his hand.

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The sports decals were covering up cracks in the front cap

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Here’s the picture of the Y-shaped crack covered with another sports decal!

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Water intrusion points in the streetside rail trim.

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The rotted flooring under the bathroom sink.

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A blade seal falling off under the slideout.

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Oil spray while viewing the underside of the chassis.

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The inspector observed the transmission fluid was discolored. Fluid Analysis was recommended but was declined.

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The coolant was also suspect. Again, fluid analysis was declined by the buyer.

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Water damaged and separated flooring above the generator.

In this particular case, complete oil and coolant analysis was recommended prior to the inspection day!  The buyer did not request that to be performed, but given the poor condition of the RV, it would have really given a complete picture of the RV’s mechanical condition given that inspectors can’t take the engine apart, but they can take oil and coolant samples and send them to a national lab for analysis.

Once the buyer received the certified RV inspection, a computer-generated 100-page report the next day, she knew that this was not the RV for her!  The buyer also discovered the pictures that were sent by the owner were not the ones from the RV that was inspected. 

By spending $499 the RV buyer saved themselves thousands, and a trip across the country, only to discover that they would have purchased a real lemon!  This RV had some serious issues that needed to be resolved before it hit the road!  This sort of examination took the RV Inspector six hours to perform.  A Premier Inspection can take eight hours to complete depending on the type of RV that is being inspected.

Do You Now Know Why You Need An RV Inspection?

This is just one example of the many reasons that you want a used RV to be inspected!  There are some sellers who are truly trying to hide things from the buyer.  There are other sellers that really don’t know what may be wrong with their RV!  This includes RVs sold at dealerships!

I am Howard from HMRVI Corporation.  Along with my wife Pam, we launched our RV inspection business back in early 2014.  We felt that this industry was necessary given our years on the road as full-time RVers, and hearing all the stories from unhappy RV buyers. Having been full time RVing since 2008 we hear so many more stories like this as we talk to people at RV parks.

We desire to serve our clients by giving them all the info they need prior to making a purchasing decision.  We want to be sure they have safe and uninterrupted travels while enjoying time on the road with friends and family!

We have discovered in the years of performing RV inspections that regardless of whether an RV is used or new, similar conditions are revealed to those discussed above, some serious enough to keep the new RV at the dealership a few more weeks before the RV is ready to leave with its new owner.

The moral of this story is to get it inspected! Doing so will help you avoid buying a money pit, a traveling nightmare, ruined vacations, etc.

If you would like to tackle a full-blown RV inspection on your own, check out my discussion at this link.  If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, you may have the skills to save time and money by following my advice!  I have trained over 1,300 people to be RV inspectors since 2010.

Know This Before You Hire an NRVIA Inspector!

Before choosing an NRVIA inspector, be sure to interview them to discover their RV industry experience.  I would suggest you search for an inspector with these qualifications:

  1. They themselves are an RVer with several years of experience living and traveling in an RV.
  2. For best results, two years of experience as an RV inspector or proof of knowledge base.
  3. For best results, twenty-five premium RV inspections are under their belt.
  4. For motor homes, delve deeply into their experience with them.  Motor homes are much more complicated than towable RVs and require a higher level of experience inspecting them.
  5.  Ask for a sample report for the class of RV that you are looking at.


Please leave me a comment before you go!  I would be happy to respond to your inquiry!


Wishing you many blessings as you join the RV lifestyle!

Howard and Pam

47 comments

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    • Marsha Perkins on June 5, 2021 at 6:53 PM
    • Reply

    I would like an inspection for a class A 2017 Holiday Rambler VACATIONER 33C. Do you have anyone in the Tampa, Fl area? Land O lakes.
    Please let me know cost and check list of what will be inspected. Thank you!

    1. Hi Marsha!

      Please visit nrvia.org to locate an NRVIA inspector in that area. Beat wishes!

    • JoAnn on June 26, 2019 at 9:41 AM
    • Reply

    Need an inspection near Gaithersburg MD. Can you provide information and contact #? TY

    1. Hi JoAnn!

      Thanks for stopping by our website!

      I will send you information to the email address you left here in your message.

      Best wishes in your RV search!!

    • KJ on June 6, 2019 at 1:56 AM
    • Reply

    Hello,

    We need a certified inspector to inspect a 2018 class A rv near Columbus, Oh? Do you complete work in this area or have any inspectors you can refer?

    1. Hi KJ!

      I will email you directly to the email address you left here!

    • Robert Vukobradovich on March 31, 2019 at 9:52 AM
    • Reply

    Hi. Just came across your site, we are purchasing a 2020 Grand design 351 5th wheel and are looking for someone to due a pre purchase inspection to be sure there’s no issues with the unit.

    1. Thanks for stopping by our website Robert!

      I sent an email to you in response to your inquiry.

    • Sarah Smith on March 18, 2019 at 7:09 PM
    • Reply

    It’s really interesting that you can have an RV inspected before investing in it. That makes me wonder if there are also trailer inspection services. My aunt would like to find one.

    • Kim on February 17, 2019 at 4:44 PM
    • Reply

    I need a certified inspector for a walk through at an RV dealer in Chelsea, MI.

    1. Hi Kim!

      I will get in touch with you by email.

    • Mary Jane Shaw on February 10, 2019 at 6:11 PM
    • Reply

    Hello,
    I like many others who have read your article would like information to find an RV inspector for a class B+ that I plan on taking delivery this weekend.

    Thank You!

    Mary Jane

    1. Hi Mary Jane!

      Where is the RV located?

    • David Vest on December 27, 2018 at 11:14 PM
    • Reply

    I will be needing an inspection done a 2008 Itaska Ellispe MH in Denton Tx the 1st or 2nd week of Jan 2019.
    Do you know of resources?

    1. Hi David!

      Thanks for stopping by! I will send you an email to the address you gave with ways to secure an inspector in the Denton, TX area.

      Thank you!

    • Troy Schuberg on December 7, 2018 at 4:39 AM
    • Reply

    My wife and I are purchasing a 2011 Used Diesel Pusher in Tampa from a dealer. We need this inspection soon as we are wanting to take delivery next week. Thanks!

    Troy S

    1. Hi Troy!

      Thanks for stopping by our website!

      I have sent you a personal email with instructions on how to find an inspector.

      Best wishes in your RV buying process!

    • Robyn White on October 30, 2018 at 9:12 AM
    • Reply

    My husband and i are purchasing a used 5th wheel in Kamath Falls Oregon. Do you service that area and if you do what is the cost?

    Thank you
    Robyn

    1. Thanks for reaching out to us Robyn! I am going to send you an email so we can continue the discussion to see if we can find you an inspector. We have had several in that area.
      One that I know of is currently assisting with the FEMA initiative in North Carolina.

    • Rick Mader on October 12, 2018 at 12:18 PM
    • Reply

    My Wife and I are planning to full time when I retire in 2020. I am concerned about purchasing a new fifth wheel and having troubles/issues that should have been caught during the dealer PDI.
    Is it possible to hire someone to perform the PDI on a new rig prior to taking delivery?
    How long does it take?

    I am also thinking that I would like to become a Certified inspector.
    How would I be able to perform this service as a business on the road fulltime once retired?
    Thank you
    rick

    1. Hi Rick!

      Thanks for stopping by our website and sharing! If you will email me at howard@nrvia.org I will send you information about the RV inspection process and becoming an RV inspector once I receive your email.

    • John Garofal on October 2, 2018 at 3:10 PM
    • Reply

    Hi, are there any inspectors in the upstate NY area?
    Thanks, John

    1. Hi John!

      Thanks for visiting our website!

      I have sent you an email to the email address you gave with instructions on how to find an inspector in your area.

      Thank you!

    • Bradley on September 14, 2018 at 8:06 PM
    • Reply

    How much for a pre purchase inspection on a 1999 Fleetwood 32′ class A. Buyer is asking more than NADA guidelines and I want to make sure everything is as advertised.

    1. Hi Bradley!

      Thanks for stopping by our website!

      I will respond to you via the email address listed here.

    • Becky meyer on August 14, 2018 at 5:16 PM
    • Reply

    To get fifth wheel rv inspected what do I have to bring with me ? Does the rv have to have insurance on it to be inspected? Didn’t need it to register it in my name for title.

    1. Hi Becky!

      It sounds like you are looking for a state inspection to get plates for the RV? That is not the service we provide. We offer people independent inspections for RV buyers and sellers. It’s like a home inspection, but for an RV.

    • Kimo on July 21, 2018 at 2:52 PM
    • Reply

    Hi,

    I found yals website when looking into tiny house building. I plan on building one on wheels and all the fourms are telling me that the house will need to be registered as an RV before it becomes legally inhabitable. What I want to know is,

    – are there separate guidelines within the realm of the NRVIA that’s specifically tailored for tiny homes?

    – if there are tiny house specific guidelines, can you point me in the right direction as I’ve been coming up with opinionated regulations. I’m in the military so I “trust, but verify” as I’m sure everyone does. Lol!

    – because I’m in the military, would I need to get it registered in every state I’ll be in while living in it; or will a NRVIA certified RV suffice across the states as stated in the “N” of the NRVIA?

    Any kind of help is greatly appreciated.

    V/R

    1. Hi Kimo!

      In answer to your questions:

      – are there separate guidelines within the realm of the NRVIA that’s specifically tailored for tiny homes? (No. NRVIA RV inspectors do not inspect tine homes as they are not approved by the RVIA.)

      – if there are tiny house specific guidelines, can you point me in the right direction as I’ve been coming up with opinionated regulations? I’m in the military so I “trust, but verify” as I’m sure everyone does. Lol! (I am not aware of any that I can point you to.)

      – because I’m in the military, would I need to get it registered in every state I’ll be in while living in it; or will an NRVIA certified RV suffice across the states as stated in the “N” of the NRVIA? (The NRVIA does not certify RV’s or time homes. The NRVIA inspectors inspect RV’s for those looking to buy or sell them in order to gain more information on the current condition of the RV at the time of the inspection.)

    • Deborah Matyjevich on April 2, 2018 at 11:52 PM
    • Reply

    Hi, we are looking for an inspection in Denver, anyone you can recommend? Thanks!

    1. Hi Deborah!

      Thanks for stopping by our website!

      I have replied to your request directly to your email account.

    • Kathleen Barraza on April 2, 2018 at 9:04 PM
    • Reply

    I have been looking at a motor home and I am looking to have it inspected. Do you have an inspector in my area.

    The motorhome is located about three hours from me.

    Thanks

    1. Hi Kathleen!

      Thanks for stopping by our website!

      Where is your area and where is “three hours from me?”

    • Allan E. Denton on December 14, 2017 at 12:09 PM
    • Reply

    My wife and I are in the market for a used DP and have a couple. What is the procedure for requesting an inspection with your organization. Do you have inspectors in various locations?

    Thanks

    1. Hi Allan!

      Thanks for stopping by our website!

      Where are you looking to have RV’s inspected? I can assist you in finding a certified RV inspector.

    • Thomas McQuirt on December 1, 2017 at 11:14 PM
    • Reply

    There is an RV a young lady is selling close to me it has a salvage title because of hail damage that was fixed but still has to be inspected to get it registered/license plates is this a major pain or is it fairly easy

    1. Hi Tom!

      Thanks for stopping by our website!

      From what I understand, because we have been called on this before, the state from which the RV is located and to be titled in needs to do a VIN verification/inspection. Now as far as the rest of the systems in the RV, that would be better done by an NRVIA certified inspector to be sure things are in working order.

    • Bill Penning on October 3, 2017 at 6:24 AM
    • Reply

    The RV Factory/ Augusta RV claims their coach’s are “Certified for Full Time Living”. Who does that certification?

    1. Greetings Bill!

      Thank you for visiting our website!

      I would check directly with them on that. The last NRVIA inspector that was asked by a client to assist in the evaluation of one of their RV’s, prior to purchase at the factory, did not appear welcome. I would be more interested in the statement, “warrantied for full time RV living!”

    • Bob D. Allen on August 14, 2016 at 1:07 AM
    • Reply

    Hi
    Thanks for the tip, My wife and I are looking to buy an RV this year, we haven’t decided anything yet as far as size. We are just in the beginning stage of looking. Could you give me some tips on what to look for so I don’t waste my time or money getting it inspected.
    What should I be looking for as far as price of inspections. I always thought that the price of the inspection would be the same for all inspections, regardless of how long they took.
    Do you offer tips on what a person would offer for an RV that needed work.

    Thanks for any info you can provide

    Bob D. Allen

    1. Hi, Bob!

      The price of the inspection is based on the level of investigation you desire. We have three levels to choose from. Please visit the website link and let me know if that answered your questions.

      We do give you a source to establish what the RV should cost and then based on needed repairs that amount can be negotiated with the seller.

    • Richard J Klingberg on July 25, 2016 at 11:15 AM
    • Reply

    If you would like to know more about RV Inspections you can visit usedrvinspection.com. You may also call us at 850-585-1811 to learn more about this nationwide service.

    The above Website comes up as disabled, you might want to address this or change the link?

    1. Hi, Richard!

      Thanks for that! I moved the domain out of GoDaddy last week and I had not updated the redirect or nameservers. I was awaiting final confirmation. It should all be good to go now!!

    • Ronald lokay on June 8, 2016 at 1:26 PM
    • Reply

    Read about y’all when searching the website for cortzite AZ, think you way ahead the game, SMART, these units are not a couple bucks for one thing, for another is for your own safty plus the safty of others. Thank You for having the for site to see this is a very needed tool. Have one or two for someone in the Ft Myers Fl, area to inspect one. Will be calling or going to your web .

    1. Hi, Ronald!

      Thank you for visiting our website! We are glad you found us!!

      Please contact us if we can assist your friends with a certified RV inspection in the Fort Myers, FL area.

    • Jack Maguire on March 15, 2016 at 2:20 PM
    • Reply

    I need an inspector in about two weeks. I will be somewhere between RIO VISTA , CA AND CATHEDRAL CITY , CA. Please let me know my next step.

    1. Thanks for the call Jack! We will be back in touch with you shortly!!

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